Improvement in dyeing and coloring furs



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPH MI ILLER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN DYEING AND COLORING FURS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,211, dated June 20,1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADOLPH MULLER, of the city and county of SanFrancisco and State of California, have made an Improvement in the Artor Process of Dyeing or Coloring that class of Furs to which belongfur-seal, beaver, otter, &c.

The purpose of my invention is to impart, in a higher degree and moreperfectly than has hitherto been done, that pleasing gradation of colorsfrom the dark exterior to the lighter shade next to the skin, and alsothose peculiarly pure and delicate tints of blended dark brown, copper,and golden hues, with their attendant luster, which are so universallyadmired and sought for in furs. Although most of the treatments to whichthe furs are subjected during my entire process are old, yet it willgreatly aid in understanding and practicing my invention if I give themain features of several of these old treatments.

The process commences after the skins are picked, tanned, and dried.

The hair is freed from grease and prepared to absorb color by a mixtureof one part, by weight, of aqua fortis and four parts of water. It isapplied with a brush upon the top in the usual way at a temperature from100 to 110 Fahrenheit. A second and even a third application may berequired, but before each the skins should be dry.

II. Ground Dye.

Two pounds catechu, two ounces blue vitriol, one-quarter ouncesal-ammonia, and eight pounds of water.

After boiling and stirring till the ingredients are dissolved it isbrought to a temperature as hot as the hand can bear-about 110Fahrenheitand the skins immersed and allowed to remain twelve hours.Below the temperature above indicated the warmer the skins and dye arekept the better. Instead of soaking the skins in the dye it may beliberally applied with a brush. The skins are next aired two hours, butnot allowed to become dry.

III. Secondary Dye. Two ounces of bichromate of potash, fortyeight dropsof oxide of iron, and four pounds of water.

Use this at the same temperature and in the I same way as the grounddie, except that it must be thoroughly applied so as to reach every partof the fur and as uniformly as possible by kneading or otherwise. Thendry slowly for two or three days, when the desired color will appear.Then wash in the usual way.

IV. To Preserve the Leather.

Draw the water out on the beam. When half dry grease the leather verylittle. When dry clean the fur well with sand and sawdust in the usualway. Now stretch each skin on a frame by stitching with twine.

v. Lime Killing.

One pound of fresh unslaked lime and sixteen pounds of water. Thisproportion should be varied according to the character of the skins.Those of females and pups require less lime. The rule on this subject asWell as the mode of using are well known to fur-dyers.

VI. Chemical Killing.

VII. For" Luster.

One-quarter ounce of pyrogallic acid and two pounds of water.

Apply upon the top, and dry .and repeat till the desired brown lusterappears.

VIII. To Darkeh.

Thirtyto fifty drops of oxide of iron and one pound of cold water.

Apply on top and dry. If the color is too dark use the pyrogallicdilution till the proper shade is attained, if possible. In case offailure use the vitriol solution once more and follow it With thepyrogallic dilution. This must always be the last one of these twoapplications. The skins are now removed from the frames and cleaned withsawdust, mahogany preferred. This completes the process.

While the skins are on the frames all washing should be with a brush andnot by beatin g and while the fur is lying under any treatment for coloror luster the skins should be laid together in pairs with the hairysides in contact With each other.

Having thus described my invention, what I Witnesses J. F. GOW'DERY,ALFRED Rrx.

